Fishpole-reel.



A. B. FRENCH.

FISHPOLE REEL.

APPLICATION FILED 1111111.21, 1911.

1,005,015, Patented (1013.3, 1911.

,'iq T qm T5111.

cLUMBI PLANOORAPH C0.. wASHlNaToN. u. c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

ARTI-IUE B. FRENCH, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

FISHPOLE-REEL.

rooaois.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR B. FRENCH, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Britain, in the county of l-Iartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fishpole- Reels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fish pole reels, and the objectsof my improvements are convenience and eiiiciency in use.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure l is a side elevation of a fish polecomplete and embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on theline a: m of Fig. l, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a sectional view onthe line y y of Fig. 2, the reel being omit-ted. Fig. 4 is a sectionalview on the line e .e of Fig. 2, the spring shaft and main driving gearbeing omitted. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line .e e of Fig. 2 inthe opposite direction from Fig. t, the pinion and shaft of thetransmission gearing being omitted. Fig. 6 is a similar view, with thespring and mechanism above the same removed. Fig. 7 is a plan view ofthe reel. Fig. S is a reverse plan of the same. Fig. 9 is a sectionalview on the line u u of Fig. 3, of certain parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig.l0 is a similar view on the line o o of Fig. 3.

` Fig. 1l is a side elevation of the same,

turned 180 degrees from the position shown l in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is adetached view of the lantern member'.

A is a fish pole embodying my improvement and comprises a pole proper 2Omade up in the usual manner of a series of jointed sections and as shownis of the type in which the line B passes through the interior of theuppermost sections and emerges through a hole 21 near the upper part ofthe lowermost or butt-sectionC and from which hole the line extendsdownwardly to the reel. The said lowermost section C comprises a metalcap or ferrule R at the upper end, tted over and secured to a woodenplug D which latter has its lower end fitted into the upper end of aconical shell E. A cylindrical reel shell F is secured by its upper endto the lower end of the said conical shell E by a screw thread joint andby its lower end is .secured by a similar joint to the enlarged upperend of a generally cylindrical and elongated handle shell G. The

lower end of the shell Gr is telescopically re- Specication of LettersPatent.'

Application filed March 21, 1911.

Patented oet. s, i911.

Serial No. 615,936.

ceived in a cup-shaped butt-shell H and secured thereto by lateralscrews 22, which penetrate a wooden plug I, which latter fills the saidbutt-shell I-I and the lower part of the said handle shell G. rIhe lowerend of the said conical shell E is closed by a circular bridge 23 whichlis provided with a central hole 2A and which serves as a bearing forthe upper end of the shaft or spindle 25 for the reel J. The lower endof the handle shell Gr is provided with a similar bridge 26, which islocated as shown in abutment with the wooden plug I and which isprovided with a central hole 27 which serves as a bearing for the lowerend of the shaft or spindle 28 of the driving spring K. A dog M ispivotally mounted on a pin or screw 29 on the upper side of the saidbridge 26. A hole 55 in the wall of the handle shell G serves as a meansof securing the fixed end of spring K. The interior space L between thetwo bridges 23 and 26 inclosed at the upper end by the said cylindricalshell F and at the lower end by the said handle shell G constitutes ahousing for the reel J, spring K, and operating mechanism therefor to bedescribed. The said hole 2l through which the line B emerges is in thesaid wooden plug member D and the line extends downward therefromthrough a hole or slot 56 in the reel shell F to the reel J to bedescribed. Intermediate the said reel J and spring K is a lantern Ncomprising an upper disk 30 and a lower disk 31 which are rigidly spacedapart by means of studs 32 and screws 33. An apron 34 secured to thelateral edges of the disks 30 and 3l, screwthreaded to receive a screw35 that passes through a hole 36 in the lateral wall of the cylindricalshell F, serves as a means for locking the said lantern in the saidcylindrical shell F. A countershaft O extends through the said disks 30and 3l and is a part of transmission gearing that operatively connectsthe said reel J with the spring K which comprises a pinion 36 on theupper end of the shaft O which meshes with a pinion 37 on the lower endof shaft 25 of the reel J and a pinion 38 on the lower end of shaft Owhich meshes with the main driving pinion 39, the latter being rigidlysecured on the shaft 28 of the spring K. The upper disk 30 has a centralhole serving as a bearing for the lower end of the reel J and the lowerdisk 3l has a central hole 4-1 serving as a bearing for the upper end ofll l 0 Y the pressure of the spring K.

the shaft 28 of the spring K. The said reel J comprises the said shaft25 having its ends pivoted as described, the said pinion 37 securedthereto, and also a pair of spool heads,

respectively a lower head 42 and an upper head 43. The latter isprovided with a hole 44 for securing the end of the line B.

The lower head 42 has a hole 45 nea-r the outer periphery for receivinga locking -pin 46 of locking mechanism. The said locking mechanismcomprises the said locking pin 46 which is on the free end of a springP, shown as a iat spring formed on an arc and extending somewhat morethan 9() degrees and approximately concentric with the shaft 25, thefixed end being secured by a screw 47 to the said upper disk 30. Thelocking spring P tends normally to force the locking pin 46 upwardly sothat the same will enterl the locking hole 45 when the reel J is turnedto the position for the said pin and hole to register with one another.A thumb piece Q. is provided with means for disengaging the said lockingpin and hole comprising a stud 48 having a neck 49 extending through anda fit for an angularly disposed cross-slot 50, in the cylindrical shellF and having a head 51 which overhangs the said locking spring P, theinclination of the said slot 50 being such that as the thumb-piece Q ismoved toward the locking pin 46 the head 51 depresses the spring andpulls the locking pin out of and away from the hole 45 and isfrictionally held in such disengaged position. The said thulnb-piececomprises a plate-like structure, concentric with and shaped to conformto the adjacent wall of the pole structure along which it moves; coversthe said cro-sseslot or way 50,v and has a movement concentric with theaxis of the pole. The spring K is mounted on the said shaft 28, whichhas its ends engaged with the disk 31 and bridge 26 as described, andthe driving pinion 39 securedto the upper end. Near the upper end theshaft 28 has a hole 52 suitable for receiving and holding the inner endof the spring K. The outer or fixed end of the spring K is secured inthe hole 55 as mentioned. The lower end of the shaft 28 is provided withan enlargement 53 which has a notch 54 suitable for engaging with thedog M. The said dog M and notch 54 are similar to the type of dog andnotch that is commonly used in shade rollers. When the dog M is engagedwiththe notch 54 the same is held engaged therewith by The hole .55 forreceiving the end of the spring K extends through the wall of the handleshell G, andthe same is located in the same longitudinal plane generallyas the i dog M and on thel other side of the axis, so

that the said hole 55 operates as an indicator to show the location ofthe dog. This is a convenience in engaging and disengaging the dog andits notch in adjusting the tension of the spring K, which operationcorresponds essentially to the adjustment of the tension of a shaderoller spring.

l prefer to make the driving gear or pinion 39 an internal gear asshown, whereby a high speed is obtainable, notwithstanding the confinedlimits of the space or chamber L available for the transmission gearing.

As described, my reel is automatic in operation, and the line isentirely inclosed except for a small portion between holes, which is forconvenience of access and in operating, and it is obvious that completeinclosure of the line as well as the reel is a possibility if desirable.

One of the advantages of my invention is the ability to travel throughclosely grown brush and thickets that are difficult to travel and inwhich it may be necessary to drag the pole by means of the line. In sucha condition there are no exposed parts of the reel or its mechanism thatare liable to catch on obstructions and interfere with the progress ofthe traveler.

When the cylindrical shell F is screwed onto the handle shell G, theholes 55 and 56 are in longitudinal alinement on the same side of theaxis, so that under normal conditions and when the hole 55 is covered,the hole or slot 56 serves as an index as to the position of the dog M.Accordingly, the operator can, under normal conditions, manipulate therod so that the dog M will engage with the notch 54 or will disengagetherefrom, depending upon either gravity or a throw of the pole butt tomove the dog in the direction desired. When under such conditions thedog is disengaged from its notch, the manipulation of the line B isunder direct control of the operator by means of the exposed portion S,between holes 21 and 56, and the locking mechanism. When the dog isdisengaged from Aits notch and also the locking mechanism is disengagedand the line free, the winding of the line on the reel is limited in anordinary manner by an enlargement on the line B such as the hook orother attachment abutting with the outer end of the pole.

It will be noted that when the conical shell E is removed the reel J isexposed and readily removable from the cylindrical shell F, and when thelatter is removed the driving gear 39 is exposed and accessible, 120 andalso that the same and the driving spring K are removable from thehandle shell G after the ixed end of the spring has been disengaged fromthe hole 55.

The construction and arrangement of the 125 reel and operating mechanismdescribed are such that thevparts enumerated that inclose the operatingchamber may be readily disassembled and put together again with the'parts of the mechanism in proper position 130 for coperation.Accordingly, the lowermost 0r butt sect-ion C of the fish pole A is acomposite structure comprising on the exterior the ferrule R, plug D,conical shell E, reel shell F, handle shell Gr and the buttshell H.Within the said butt section C there is the` reel J, spring K,transmission gearing interconnecting the same and supported by thelantern N, holding mechanism, comprising in part the dog M, and lockingmechanism comprising in part th-e spring P and the finger piece Q.Unscrewing t-he conical shell E exposes the reel J so that the same isfree to be removed, and without disturbing any other part. Unscrewingthe reel shell F and the handle shell G exposes the main driving gear 39and the main driving shaft which carries the spring K, and which gear,shaft, and spring constitute the main driving unit, and same is free tobe removed when exposed as described. Removing the holding screw 35releases the lantern N, so that the entire transmission gearing may beremoved as a unit from the reel shell F, and in either direction asdesired.

Initial tension may be applied to t-he spring K if desired bymanipulation of the main driving gear 39, and which tension will beheldby the dog' M engaging with the notch 54. rllhe direction of motion ofthe reel and connected mechanism by pulling the line outward is suchasto increase the tension of the spring K. As under normal conditions ofuse a length of line corresponding approximately to the length of thepole will be unreeled, the unreeling of this amount of line will providetension that is generally suicient, without the necessity of providinginitial tension in the manner described above.

The locking' mechanism described and controlled by the finger piece Qoperates to positively hold the reel in a given position. rlhe notch 54is elongated and permits the engaging nose of the dog M to slide out anddisengage therefrom when the line is unreeled or pulled out and holdsthe mechanism against rotation in the contrary direction when the saidnose is engaged therewith, all as is ordinary and found in shade rollerdevices. The engagement of the dog M and notch 54 is effected either bygravity, as when the rod is held in position so that the dog will fallby gravity in the direction of the notch 54, 0r by a throw of the polein proper direction, the slot 56 serving as an vindex as to the positionof the dog for this purpose. Holding the pole horizontally, the slot 56uppermost, a pull on the line relieves the dog M and the line is placedunder tension of the spring K and is controlled by the locking device.Under this condition the operator may operate with a fixed length ofline by pulling out the length desired and locking and by unlocking, hemay allow the same to reel automatically. By turning the i pole 90degrees from the position indicated the dog will be in position toengage with the notch and will do so when the notch is in registrationtherewith.

1 claim as my invention:

1. A fish pole having a butt provided with an internal chamber andactuating mechanism, transmission gearing, and a reel operatively housedtherein; the inclosing lateral wall of the said chamber comprising asingle wall structure and means for closing the ends thereof, the saidlateral wall composed of elements that are separablV7 united andcomprising a reel shell, and a handle shell, and a separable conicalshell element constituting' the means for closing one end of the saidchamber, and the location of the said mechanism gearing, and reel insaid chamber such that the separation of the said elements permits ofaccess to the said mechanism and reel individually and each independentof the other.

2. A fish pole comprising a chamber having a side wall, a reel,transmission gearing, and actuating mechanism operatively housedtherein, the said transmission gearing self-contained as a unit, ofskeleton construction, and provided with means for being' fixedlylocated in the said chamber, the said means comprising a laterallydisposed and longitudinally extending apron, and a screw connecting thesaid apron and side wall and the said transmission gearing serving as adivision wall, dividing the said chamber into spaces suitable forhousing the reel at one end and the actuating mechanism at the otherend.

3. A fish pole having a reel, actuating mechanism, and connectingmechanism, the said actuating mechanism comprising a shaft, a notch onsaid shaft coperative with a dog mounted on a fixed axis, and suitablefor restraining the said actuating mechanism in one direction ofoperation, and the said dog operative to be disengaged from the saidnotch by gravity when the said pole is held in a predetermined position.

4. In a fish pole having a reel and actuating mechanism therefor, achamber in said pole in which the said reel and mechanism I areoperatively housed, the said reel having a head and provided with alocking hole in the head, a spring located concentrically with the axisof the pole, having one end fixed and the other provided with a lockingpin fitting said hole, and the said spring tending normally to projectthe said pin into position for registration with and engagement with thesaid hole, an inclined way provided in the side wall of the saidchamber, a friction pin engaged with the said way, provided at the innerend with an overhanging nose engaged with the said spring, and at theouter end With a thiimbpiece 1n Contact with the said side Wall, andoperative as a handle, and the said friction pin operative in oneposition in the said Way to permit vthe free movement of the saidspring, and in another position to hold the said locking pinaway fromposition of engagement With the said locking hole, and the saidthumb-piece comprising a plate-like structure, shaped to coliform to thesaid outside Wall, and having a movement concentric With the axis of thepole.

5. In a iish pole having a reel, and actuating mechanism therefor, thesaid reel having a head provided with a hole suitable for receiving andengaging With a pin, a flat spring iiXed at one end and carrying thesaid pin at the free end, and normally tending to project said pin intoposition for engagement with the said hole, a friction pin having alimited motion in an inclined Way, provided at the inner end with a noseoverhanging the said spring and at the outer end with a thumb pieceoperative as a handle, and the said pin operative in the said Way sothat at one eXtreme it Will permit the free movement of the said spring,and at the other eXtreme it will hold the said pin away from position ofengagement with the said hole.

ARTHUR B. FRENCH. Witnesses:

NEWTON L. LooKWooD, SHEFFIELD H. CLARKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents cach, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

